BAKER CITY, Ore.__The Oregon Trail Interpretive Center will hold a local event on Saturday, Sept. 28, as part of the nationwide “National Public Lands Day” volunteer effort to improve public lands.

For 19 years the last Saturday of September has been designated as National Public Lands Days(NPLD) with an estimated 170,000 volunteers throughout the country participating last year. NPLD educates Americans about critical natural resource issues and the need for shared stewardship of public lands. The volunteers clean-up or rehabilitate lands and waters, and repair recreational trails and sites. More information on events can be found at: www.publiclandsday.org

The event at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center this year will begin at 10 a.m. Volunteers will meet at NHOTIC’s picnic area and begin with a guided hike to Panorama Point. Tasks include removing invasive species along the trail system and outdoor public areas, removing litter, and working on trail improvements. Individuals may sign up the day of the event. Community service groups can pre-register or sign up day of the event to earn recognition as a team. Equipment and gloves will be provided. The first 25 participants will receive a National Public Lands Day T-shirt, and snack bags courtesy of the Trail Tenders volunteer organization.

Sept. 28 is a Free Fee Day for all visitors in honor of National Public Lands Day.

The Trail Center is located five miles east of Baker City, Oregon on Highway 86. Take Exit 302 from I-84. The Center is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Admission for adults is $8; for seniors it’s $4.50; children 15 and under are admitted for free. Federal passes are accepted. Call (541) 523-1843 for updates on programs and events. For information on this and other events in Baker County, Oregon call 1(800) 523-1235. More information about the Trail Center visit: oregontrail.blm.gov